Minneapolis/St. Paul - May 29, 2008 - Team USA Minnesota's Carrie Tollefson will hold her second annual Training Camp from July 10 through 13 in the Twin Cities. Designed for boys and girls in grades 7-12 who run distances from the 800 meters up through cross country, the performance-driven camp will be held at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. There were 84 campers in 2007 and this year the limit is 100. Registration closes on June 10.
A highlight of this year's camp will be Todd Williams, a two-time Olympian and the 15k American record holder. In high school, Williams won six Michigan state championships, was a runner-up at Footlocker in 1986, he was an eight-time All American at the University of Tennessee, and a 12-time USA National Champion competing for adidas.
In addition, Life Time Fitness has given the Tollefson campers VIP access to the finish line and awards ceremony of the Life Time Fitness Triathlon on July 13. Some of the world's best triathletes, who will be in town for the triathlon, will make appearances at the camp.
"I am so excited to be hosting the second annual Carrie Tollefson Training Camp this summer," said the 2004 Olympian, who represented the U.S. in the 1500 meters. "One of the reasons I wanted to host a camp was to give kids an idea of what it is like to chase your dreams. I feel that I have been in a sport where everyone has an individual goal and it is only up to the person to decide how badly they want to achieve it.
"My camp will help athletes learn more about how they can pursue those goals and "Get After It." We have a great staff again this year with athletes from Team USA Minnesota, the University of Minnesota, Augsburg College, St. Catherine's College and Harvard University. We will have athletes from every level on hand for the kids to get to know and ask any questions. I know that for me, being on a team and surrounding myself with people who want to excel has made me a tougher runner and a better person.
"In addition, I'm pleased to have Todd Williams join us this year. Todd and I work on many races doing TV commentary and he is one of the most dynamic people and runners I have ever met. It is an honor he is coming to the camp and I am so excited for the campers to meet him."
Again this year, adidas is a main sponsor of the camp which is filling up fast. All counselors and staff will stay in the dorms with the kids to provide a fun and safe weekend. For more information or to register, go to www.carrietollefson.com.
A native of Dawson, Minn., Tollefson won 13 state high school championships, including five consecutive individual cross country state championships, which is a still a national record. She also won five NCAA individual championships and a team cross country championship while at Villanova University. Since turning pro, she has been a three-time national champion - in the 1500 meters, 3000 meters and 4k cross - as well as a 2004 Olympian. Tolleffson has been a member of Team USA Minnesota since the training center was formed in 2001.
About Team USA Minnesota
Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Formed in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians. The athletes are coached by Dennis Barker, head cross country and track coach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Team USA Minnesota's major sponsor is Life Time Fitness (www.lifetimefitness.com) and its silver sponsor is the Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. (www.mtcmarathon.org). It is also supported by the New York Road Runners and the USA Distance Project. For more information, visit the web site at www.teamusaminnesota.org.
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Contact:
Pat Goodwin
952-924-1081
pfgoodwin@teamusaminnesota.org
